"I
have heard it said," said King William, to Principal
Carstairs, ''that you were tortured with something they call
' thumbikins ;' pray what sort of instrument of torture is
it?"
"I will show it you," replied Carstairs, ''the next
time I have the hononr to wait upon your Majesty."
The Principal was as good as his word.
"I must try them," said the King. "I must put
in my thumbs here, now, Principal, turn the screw. Oh ! not
so gently, another turn, another, stop ! stop ! no more. Another
turn, I'm afraid, would make me confess any-thing."
-Statistical Account.